Those remaining in Afghanistan will advise and train the country’s forces as well as look for militants from al-Qaeda, Islamic State and other groups, the newspaper reported.
The US-led NATO combat force withdrew from Afghanistan in December 2014 after a 14-year occupation. However, over 10,000 US military personnel remain in the country, training Afghan security forces and conducting counterterrorism operations as part of the Resolute Support mission.
The current US plan was to end its military presence in Afghanistan by December 2016, closing the remaining US bases in the country. Last week, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told reporters that the United States was considering different options for adjusting its military presence in Afghanistan in 2016 and beyond.
The militant groups Islamic State, the Taliban and al-Qaeda are all currently operating in Afghanistan.
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